Holiday in Nafplio

About Nafplio

Nafplio, the first capital of modern Greece (1829–1834), is arguably the most romantic small town in the country. The elegant old town with Venetian mansions, neoclassical balconies, and hidden plane tree squares spreads at the foot of the mighty Palamidi fortress, which towers over the city on a 216-meter-high rock. The ascent via 999 steps is rewarded with one of the most magnificent panoramic views of the Peloponnese — over the Argolic Gulf to the Arcadian mountains. The tiny Bourtzi fortress on an island just off the harbor is Nafplio's landmark and one of the most photographed motifs in Greece. The old town itself is a delight to stroll through: narrow streets with bougainvillea-covered facades, elegant cafes on Plateia Syntagma, Turkish fountains, and Venetian lion reliefs tell of the various rulers who left their mark here — Venetians, Ottomans, and the Bavarian regents under King Otto I. The location makes Nafplio an ideal starting point for the most significant ancient sites of the Peloponnese: Mycenae with the Lion Gate and the treasure chambers of Agamemnon is only 25 minutes away, the ancient theater of Epidaurus with its legendary acoustics (a falling coin can be heard in the last row) is 30 minutes away, and Tiryns with its Cyclopean walls is right at the city's gates. Nafplio's culinary scene surprises with creative Greek cuisine, handmade ice cream, and the best Bougatsa pastries outside Thessaloniki. A perfect place for a romantic weekend or as a base for exploring the Peloponnese.